Newswire

Dan Sileo, former University of Miami defensive tackle ruled ineligible by the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. last week, agreed to the terms of a free-agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Coach Ray Perkins said.

Sileo was told by the NCAA on Friday that his five-year eligibility ran out after last season because the former Miami player was enrolled for nine credit hours at the University College, an adjunct of the University of Maryland, during the 1982-83 school year.

While most schools consider nine credits part-time, Maryland considers it a full-time student load and sent Miami a letter in July questioning Sileo's eligibility.

Sileo obtained a court order allowing him to practice with the Hurricanes last month. However, he decided against challenging the latest NCAA ruling.